WPD, FBI Investigating Website Hacking Case

10/8/2013

Van Williams, City Communications
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316-268-4351

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City of Wichita officials on Tuesday said they are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the hacking of the City’s electronic procurement website.

The e-procurement website, one of 14 City web sites, was hacked over the weekend, possibly compromising the private financial information of vendors that have done business with the City and current or former employees who have been reimbursed for travel and other expenses since 1997.

The cyber thieves may have obtained social security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers and banking information. Based on current information, as many as 29,000 vendors and employees may be affected.

The security breach has been corrected and the City is in the process of notifying individuals and businesses that may have been affected. City officials recommend that all vendors who have established direct deposit business accounts and employees who have received reimbursements for travel and other expenses check with their banking institutions. They also recommend visiting the below credit agencies for free fraud-alert services:

Also, if an employee or vendor determines their personal financial information has been used illegally - resulting in financial loss - they should report the crime to the Wichita Police Department (316-268-4221).

The cybercrime has affected the City’s procurement process. City officials are working with an e-procurement software vendor to make certain the procurement system is operating and secure.

“The City of Wichita is deeply concerned about this breach of security and the impact it may have on our vendors and employees,” City Manager Robert Layton said. “Numerous steps are being taken to obtain more information about the incident, including the involvement of appropriate law enforcement agencies.”​